To Switch or Not to Switch

It’s been just over eight months since Nintendo released the Switch, and I still find myself asking the same question I did then: Is this thing really worth my money? It’s a predicament I face every time Nintendo releases a new console. On one hand, I absolutely adore nearly all of the company’s first-party titles – from historic franchises like Mario and Legend of Zelda to newer series like Animal Crossing and Pikmin. On the other hand, its hardware generally lacks in power in comparison to the competition, and it can never seem to reel in a good lineup of third-party games.

Once again, it seems like Nintendo’s newest console is trending in the same direction as its predecessors. Despite being more powerful than the Wii U, even when undocked, many third-party developers are uninterested in developing games for the Switch. Sound familiar?

Regardless, as a Nintendo fanatic, I’ve been tempted to purchase one for a while. To Switch, or not to Switch, that is the question. I’ve had to take the following into consideration in order to come to a decision.

The Pros

Super Mario Odyssey

I absolutely adore this game. Almost enough to buy a new console to play it…

I made the mistake of playing Super Mario Odyssey at a friend’s house a few weeks ago. I say mistake because I knew once I played it I would want to buy it. I was right, and I have since started replaying both Mario Galaxy games and Super Mario 3D World to curb my craving for the adventures of everyone’s favorite Italian plumber. So far, it’s working, but once I 100% complete each game, I fear I’ll make a rash decision. Hopefully there will be a price drop by then…

Upcoming First Party Games

As of now, there is no Switch game other than Odyssey that I want to play. I have already played Breath of the Wild on my Wii U, and I have no desire to play Splatoon 2. Additionally, I can’t bring myself to buy Skyrim again, and one time playing the DOOM reboot was enough for me. However, Nintendo has promised a slew of intriguing games that I know I’m going to want to play, including a Pokemon RPG, a new Metroid installment, and another Kirby game. Unfortunately, none have a set-in-stone release date.

Mobility

At first, I didn’t care much about the mobility of the Switch. All of my commuting is done by car, so I would never play while traveling, and I’m generally socializing with friends or family when out of the house. However, there are other scenarios where the Switch’s mobility could come in handy. Waiting to meet a friend somewhere, traveling for work, and gaming outdoors on a warm, sunny day are a few that come to mind, and I’m sure there are many others. It’s not a selling point, but it’s definitely a nice perk.

The Cons

Weak Lineup of Games

Even being able to play as Link doesn’t make me want to buy Skyrim again.

This is completely subjective, so please don’t chew my head off for it. I’ve spoken with many people whom are satisfied with the lineup of content for the Switch. I’m not. As I stated earlier, there is nothing out right now that I want to play aside from Super Mario Odyssey. Any indies that I want to play I can buy on my PC, probably at a cheaper price during a Steam sale. So, basically, after I finish Odyssey in a week or two, my Switch would probably collect dust until the new Yoshi or Kirby games are released next year.

Cost

I hate to complain about a $300 price tag because it’s pretty reasonable in comparison to other consoles. However, when I factor in tax and Super Mario Odyssey, it ends up being closer to $400. Being a grown-ass adult with bills to pay, I can’t justify dropping that kind of cash to play one game.

No Backwards Compatibility

Sure, you can download old Nintendo games on the Switch, but it still bugs me that I can’t play my physical copies of Wii U games on it. I understand that the handheld format of the Switch makes it difficult to support anything other than cartridges, but it’s still a bummer. If I could play my copies of Super Smash Bros Wii U, Mario Kart 8, and Breath of the Wild on the Switch, I would be more inclined to purchase it. Since that’s not a possibility, I’m content holding onto my Wii U and playing old games.

As you can probably tell, I’m leaning much further towards the decision not to Switch, at least until there is a price drop or more games I want to play. I don’t think it’s a bad console at all; it just doesn’t have much to offer me at the moment.

Be that as it may, it has a lot of potential. Some people may knock it for being underpowered in comparison to other options on the market, but there are two ways to look at it. You can either see it as a weak home console, or a super powerful handheld. I choose the latter, and I’m excited to eventually own one when it has a lineup of games that will make it worth buying.

What do you think of the Switch? Do you own one? Want one? Are you holding out for a price drop like me? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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13 thoughts on “To Switch or Not to Switch”

As a grown ass adult, I have no shame in admitting that I dropped the money to play Mario Odyssey. The only thing you really need to ask yourself is can you afford it. If it’s going to financially scupper you, then don’t do it! If you have enough disposable income then go right ahead.

Do it! The Nintendo Switch is the best. You get fantastic Nintendo exclusives as you mention, plus you get to play lots of other cross platform games when you’re out and about on the go. Minecraft, Tetris, NBA, FIFA, Sonic Mania, Rocket League, etc. It’s completely worth the money.

I do love the idea of being able to play NBA 2k anytime, anywhere. Maybe I will have to reconsider. It all depends on how much I can get for my Wii U and all of the games. If I can get about $150, I think I’ll do it.

I’m 21…so technically I’m a grown ass adult (lol). I picked a switch up primarily for Splatoon, Blaster Master Zero and Super Mario Odyssey. I’ll agree that the lineup is lacking a bit…IF you own a PS4 or Xbox One as well. Games that have been making top lists of games to get for the system that aren’t Super Mario Odyssey or BoTW tend to be multi platform, and in many cases, can be had for much less on other platforms since they’ve been out for a while (case in point-Doom). Nicalis has been making some pretty solid physical releases for indie games (some of which are exclusive to the Switch) though, so that’s always nice. I feel like the people who are going to be getting the most out of the system are those who don’t already have a major current gen console (PS4/Xbone…Wii U is dead and gone at this point). If you already do…then it’s just a matter of “Do I really want to pay $300+ for a new Mario or Zelda?”

Agreed that Wii U is dead and gone. However, I do still like playing Mario Kart 8, BoTW and Smash Bros on it. If it weren’t for those games, I would trade it in for a Switch in a heartbeat. I know that BoTW and Mario Kart 8 Delux are on the Switch, but idk if I want to pay full price for those games again. I’ll have to look into some of those exclusive indies though. If there are enough that look intriguing, I’ll be more inclined to buy.

I got a Switch over the summer and don’t regret it at all. Granted I passed on playing Zelda on the WiiU knowing I would get a Switch so I started out with a game in the bag. That said, I haven’t been disappointed in the games I do have for it. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which is a game I had on the WiiU) is a near perfect mobile title, Puyo Puyo Tetris is a great little puzzle game and excellent couch multiplayer, Zelda is Zelda, Skyrim is Skyrim (but I couldn’t resist getting a version that is technically mobile), Odyssey is one of the best games of the year, and Mario + Rabbids might be my big surprise of the year. Add in some small downloadable stuff like Sonic Mania and a few other indie games, I’ve been quite happy.

All of the comments have been pro Switch. Making me feel like I should reconsider lol. Mario + Rabbids is actually a game I was intrigued by when it was released. Completely forgot about it. I would probably buy that with Odyssey if I decide to get the Switch.

Hm, your argument is compelling, and it’s difficult to formulate a counter one. If there aren’t games that interest you on the system, I’d say it isn’t worth the money. $300 is a lot and though you CAN find it unbundled (unlike the Wii of yesteryears. That was so irritating), it’s still pretty steep. I love Mario Odyssey, but that’s another $60, and you might just be able to borrow or rent the system and game to experience that. There is Mario Kart, which is really fun to play with friends, but if that’s not your thing then you’re right back to square one. I really like the puzzle games it has to offer along with the online play. It really does come down to whether or not you’ll get the most for your money. I think it’s worth it just to play Odyssey, because that game has a marvelous after game so you’re getting hours of entertainment. It’s not the first time I’ve bought an entire system just to play one game (PlayStation for Final Fantasy VII), and there’s also the potential releases.

I will say I was shocked at how much I love the mobility. I mostly play it handheld, because it’s just super convenient to pick it up and play whenever. You can charge it independent of the port (which I didn’t realize until recently), and I like that you can instantly, er, Switch (slaps forehead) from one to the other. I think you could wait on it if you’re not chomping at the bit to play, but I really think you won’t regret it when you do. It’s an awesome system, and there are quite a lot of games out there in the store with more each time I check!

Yeah, the more I think about the mobility, the more I like it as a feature. Being able to just pick up and play massive, great-looking games like BoTW and Odyssey anywhere I go is insane to think about. I’m just worried that I won’t take advantage of it as much as I should.

I thought I’d play it more as a console myself, but it’s just so convenient to just have it out right next to me so I can pick up and play whenever I want. It’s pretty much a mobile console with all of the advantages of a stationary system 🙂